Northern Neck District Baseball Update

Posted on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 11:59 pm

District race heading down to the wire

The weather will not be the only factor in the coming weeks as the baseball regular season comes to an end. The other concern could be into who has the deepest pitching staff following the Virginia High School League Executive Committee’s decision to regulate the use of pitchers. In last week’s lone game, the Indians kept pace for a district playoff slot with a 5-0 win at Colonial Beach on Thursday.

The Indians sent Zach Newman to the mound and he responded with a two hit shutout of the Drifters. Newman struck out six and walked only one.

Carlos Bermudez and the Colonial Beach Drifters are holding on for a spot in the Northern Neck District Tournament beginning on May 21.

The keys, according to Mothershead, were Newman’s dominant performance on the mound plus defensive plays behind him. Northumberland opened the game with a two run, top of the first inning. Josh Hinson, moved to the lead off spot, singled.

Matthew Harris was hit by a pitch and went to first. Jack Jett bunted but Hinson was forced at third. A passed ball moved the runners to second and third. With two outs Brandon Walker singled, driving in both runners.

In the sixth, the Indians plated three more insurance runs. Blake Walker was safe on an error and later scored. With Newman and Jonathan Hinton on base, Hunter Bayse drove a single between short and second to score both runners. The Indians had only five hits but they came when needed.

Colonial Beach’s Nick Graves was the losing pitcher after five innings. He gave up two earned runs on just two hits, while striking out eight. Kamron Smith finished the last two innings for the Beach.

Carlos Bermudez produced one hit for Colonial Beach, a single in the seventh and teammate Jason Vickery got the other hit with a single in the third inning.

Devils’ four game win streak comes to an end

The Lancaster Red Devils’ hot winning streak came to an end after running into the Essex Trojans last week.

After a tight game in Tappahannock, Essex downed Lancaster 3-2 after the Red Devils walked in the winning run.

Essex’s Kinston Carson pitched all seven innings allowing three hits, a walk and striking out 10. Teammate Sterling Hammond was 4-4 from the plate with two RBIs.

“It was a great Northern Neck District ball game. Someone had to lose and we made more mistakes then Essex and they capitalized on our mistakes,” Lancaster coach Welby Saunders said.

The coached praised his pitching staff, but hopes the team’s hitting will improve.

Lancaster’s Colton Hayden pitched five innings giving up two runs while striking out three giving up three hits and one walk and two hit batters. Josh Moore pitched the last two innings giving up one run two strikeouts three hits and three base on balls.

Lancaster’s William Abbot led the team at the plate going 2-3 with a run scored and Kedrick Lee was 1-2 with an RBI. Daniel Thomas scored the second run.

Trojans add two more wins to pocket

Essex’s Sterling Hammond success at the plate this past week led the Trojans to three straight wins including two against Windsor.

On May 3, Essex hosted Windsor in a double header and defeated them 6-0 and 12-2.

Nick Wind highlighted the game at the mound allowing only a hit, no runs and striking out five. As a team Essex had eight hits including the Balderson twins going 2-4 from the plate and each having two RBIs. Drew Balderson hit a double and Alex had a run scored.

In game two, Hammond ended the week going 8-10 out of the past three games. He had three hits in the second game against Windsor.

Alex Balderson followed going 2-3, two runs and two RBIs; and Taylor Shackelord had a double, two RBIs and a run scored.